Riding toy



July 13,1926. I 1,592,036

L. E. MERRIMAN RIDING TOY Filed July 9 1925 x INVENTOR ATTORNEY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 13 1926.

L. E. MERRIMAN RIDING TOY Filed July 9, 1925 2 s t -she t 2 A TTORNE Y INVENTOR th g? area LEWIS IE. MERRIMAN, OF SALINA, KANSAS.

RIDING TOY.

Application filed July 9, 1925. Serial No. 42,515.

The present invention relates to that type 01" toy adapted to be ridden by the child. The object is to provide a simple structure in whicl'rthe weight of the rider can be partly balanced, the balancing means being made variable to the weight of the rider. A further object. is to provide propelling means and guiding means, portions 01" the latter being peculiarly associated with the balancing means so that the two are in cooperative relation. I

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation ot'rthe preferred embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section al view therethrough,

Figure 3 is a vertical cross sectional View taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 2,

' Figure 4 is a detail sectional view on the line H of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view on the line 55 01 Figure 1.

1n the embodiment disclosed, a. base 6 is employed, having at its rear end depending brackets 7, in which is journaled an axle or shaft 8, having a central crank 9. On one end of this shaft is fixed a drive wheel 10 and a loose wheel 11 is journaled on the other end thereof.

A, standard 12 is mounted on the front end of the base 6, and has its upper end bifurcated to receive a body member 13 that is fulcrumed to the upper end of the standard, as shown at 14. This body member may be shaped to the figure of an animal of any suitable character. The rear end of the body member has a seat 15, and a yoke 16, embracing the rear end of the body member beneath the seat, has a pivotal connection 17 with said body member and forms the upper end ot' a pitman 18 that passes through a slot 19 in the base and is engaged with the crank 9 of the shaft or axle 8.

The front end of the base 6 is supported on a yoke 20 in which is journaled a guide wheel 21. Extending from the upper end of the yoke is a steering post 22 that is located alongside and in front of the standard 12. This steering post extends through a slot 23 in the "front end of the body memher, and it is provided at its upper end with a suitable steering handle bar 2%, preferably having grips, as 25. The steering post eX- tends through a guide bracket 26, and also through a guide collar 27. The guide collar hook secured to the underside of the front end of the body member.

The body member has a downward extension 3% in front of the standard 12, forming an abutment 35 that strikes the standard 12 and serves to limit the upward movement of the rear end of the bodymemb-er 13. In order to prevent a childs lingers entering between the abutment shoulder 35 and the standard, semi-circular guards 36 are fixed to the standard on opposite sides of the extension and the bracket 26 is located contiguous to'thelower ends of these guards, thus completely housing the said stop.

It will be evident that with this device it a child is located on the seat 15 of the body member, by oscillating said member the toy will be propelled and can be steered. The coil spring serves as a balancing device to the weight of the child, and its action can be varied by adjusting the collar 27 to difterent positions along the standard and steering post.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction, operation and many advantages of the herein described invention will be apparent to those skilled. in the art without further description, and it will be understood that various changes in the size, shape, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

hat I claim is 1. In a riding toy, the combination with a standard, 01' a body member tulcruined thereon between its ends and having a seat on one side of the standard, a spring connected to the body member on the other side of the standard, said body member having an abutment shoulder that engages the standard to limit the swinging movement of said body member, and guards on the standard that extend on opposite sides or the body member and cover the stop shoul der.

2. In a riding toy, the combination with a base, of a standard thereon, a body mem- The upper 38] tulcrumed on the standard. rear Wheels. dririne means for the rear wheels connected to and operated by the movement of the bod; member. a. spring connected to the front end of the body member and to the standard, a stmporting and guide Wheel for the front end of the base, and a steering post carrying the guide Wheel and extending; upwardly in advance of the standard and through the bod member in rear of the spring.

3. In a riding toy, a base. a stanoard on the base, a bet 3' member fulcrumed between its ends on the standard, a crank shaft journaled on the rear portion of the base and carrying wheels, a pitman connecting the crank shaft and the rear portion of the bod member. seat on the body member over the pit-man. a guide wheel at the front end of the base. a steering post for the guide Wheel extending alongside the standard. a collar mounted on the standard and surrounding the steering post. and a spring connected to the collar and to the front end of the bod member.

4. In a riding to a base. a standard mounted thereon. a body member tulcrumcd between its ends on the standard. a seat on the rear end ol the body member. a spring connected to the front end of the body mem her. a collar. means for securing the collar at different positions on the standarcL said spa being connected to the collar, and a handled post extending through the collar alongside the standard.

In testimony whereof, I atlix my signature.

LEWIS E. HERRIMAN. 

